CPDSs, University of George Mason & University of Juba Organize New Theories Symposium on Conflict Resolution and Peace-Building

The Centre for Peace & Development Studies- University of Bahriorganized a symposium on “Contemporary theories in Conflict Resolution & Peace Building” on Tuesday 29 September at Al- Shagah Hall, headed by Dr. Abd El-Raheem Mohammed Khabir, which was attended by a number of concerned people; including diplomats, officials, university professors, students, researchers and experts from Canada, Sweden, Kenya and South Sudan. The symposium discussed several axis; including “Identity Issues”, and presented by Prof. Sudha Rajput from University of George Mason.

Prof. Rajput expressed her appreciation to University of Bahri on hosting this symposium, where she talked about acquired identities and their roles in peace- building and conflict resolution. She has also mentioned that refugees and immigrants obviously acquire new identities in hosting communities due to war factors or other natural consequences; adding that integration with the new communities represents the only choice for displaced people, she has also called on researchers and interested people to pay more attention to this modern perspectiveof acquired identities.

Prof. Gunter Schlee talked about Identity- Based conflicts, saying that Sudan, as its African peers, is suffering a lot from conflicts, political and tribal disputes, where tribal disputes in Sudan are based on tribal land interference because of homelessness, resources conflicts, forced displacement and lack of resources and services in displaced areas; all these reasons together lead to disputes and conflicts.He has also added that Sudan has become a unique case in this regard because of the multiplicity of armed- conflicts in the country.

Canadian Professor John Young talked about peace and democracy, saying that all previous peace agreements between Sudan and South Sudan did not achieve their desired objectives and purposes; due to the lack of transparency and commitment to implement the articles of these agreements. Hehas also added that, although South Sudan has configured the democratic governance, it has failed to put it into effective action.

The symposium has witnessed a number of interventions and discussions by the attendees.